February 2014 Mayor’s Question Time answers

Below are the answers to written questions submitted to the Mayor by Joanne in February 2014.

PCSOsQuestion No: 2014/1045Joanne McCartney

What plans do you have to rebuild the numbers of PCSOs in London?

Written response from the MayorPCSOs will continue to play a vital role in keeping London safe, but my budget prioritises the hiring of more regular constables with powers of arrest, and increasing the number of PCs in neighbourhood teams.

By reshaping the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) workforce with fewer chief officers and supervisors, we can afford to have 26,000 police constables – the most in MPS history, and many PCSOs have been recruited as regular officers so they have not been lost to the service.

The new Local Policing Model retains a dedicated named PCSO in every ward in London alongside a dedicated police constable, retaining that local link and providing recognisable faces within the neighbourhood.

These dedicated ward PCs and PCSOs will not be abstracted away to deal with other issues, as was often the case under the old SNT model.

In October 2013 the way the MPS recorded ASB changed. Please list which of the ‘old’ crime types are included under the new categories –

ASB Personal

ASB Environmental

ASB Nuisance

Written response from the MayorThere are now 3 major groups of ASB – Personal, Nuisance and Environmental – which can be qualified by 13 different incident sub categories listed below:

Vehicle Abandoned – Not Stolen

Vehicle Nuisance / Inappropriate Use

Rowdy or Inconsiderate Behaviour

Rowdy / Nuisance Neighbours

Littering / Drugs Paraphernalia

Animal Problems

Trespass

Street drinking

Prostitution Related Activity

Noise

Begging / Vagrancy

Fireworks

Nuisance Calls

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Anti-social behaviourQuestion No: 2014/1111Joanne McCartney

Please provide a breakdown of ASB calls BY BOROUGH for the past 8 quarters.

Written response from the MayorPlease see the table attached in Appendix 1111.

Anti-Social Behaviour calls to MPS by borough – 2012 & 2013

2012

2012 total

2013

2013 total

Borough

Qtr1

Qtr2

Qtr3

Qtr4

Qtr1

Qtr2

Qtr3

Qtr4

Barking & Dagenham

2,265

2,403

2,564

1,950

9,182

1,854

2,046

2,612

1,701

8,213

Barnet

3,073

3,447

3,508

3,061

13,089

2,761

3,181

3,630

2,566

12,138

Bexley

1,728

1,915

2,177

1,679

7,499

1,749

1,817

2,315

1,296

7,177

Brent

3,317

3,626

3,943

2,766

13,652

2,772

3,242

3,852

2,448

12,314

Bromley

2,482

2,530

2,886

2,232

10,130

2,152

2,470

2,979

1,715

9,316

Camden

3,460

3,832

4,064

3,235

14,591

2,644

3,492

4,054

2,797

12,987

Croydon

3,819

4,329

4,914

3,435

16,497

3,397

4,142

4,560

2,868

14,967

Ealing

3,509

4,120

4,129

3,307

15,065

3,077

3,611

4,388

2,905

13,981

Enfield

3,384

3,466

3,503

3,059

13,412

2,762

3,202

3,747

2,590

12,301

Greenwich

2,633

2,984

3,107

2,362

11,086

2,291

2,762

2,978

1,800

9,831

Hackney

3,025

3,675

3,885

3,177

13,762

2,865

3,473

4,321

2,798

13,457

Hammersmith & Fulham

2,221

2,529

2,480

2,120

9,350

1,782

2,134

2,613

1,754

8,283

Haringey

3,243

3,393

3,430

2,798

12,864

2,548

3,047

3,703

2,422

11,720

Harrow

1,881

2,098

2,223

1,695

7,897

1,700

1,920

2,158

1,337

7,115

Havering

2,044

2,051

2,231

1,911

8,237

1,666

1,930

2,186

1,430

7,212

Hillingdon

3,079

3,118

3,313

2,587

12,097

2,502

2,990

3,357

2,022

10,871

Hounslow

3,012

3,038

3,374

2,599

12,023

2,520

2,809

3,661

2,151

11,141

Islington

3,039

3,159

3,552

2,741

12,491

2,246

3,014

3,497

2,445

11,202

Kensington & Chelsea

1,809

2,034

2,169

1,792

7,804

1,647

1,858

2,208

1,507

7,220

Kingston Upon Thames

1,302

1,428

1,520

1,280

5,530

1,214

1,403

1,537

1,060

5,214

Lambeth

3,826

4,574

4,987

3,989

17,376

3,413

4,533

5,162

3,239

16,347

Lewisham

3,065

3,501

3,694

2,768

13,028

2,711

3,231

3,636

2,204

11,782

Merton

1,433

1,674

1,922

1,607

6,636

1,328

1,699

2,089

1,344

6,460

Newham

3,935

4,299

4,643

3,986

16,863

3,446

4,435

5,163

3,305

16,349

Redbridge

2,667

3,191

3,367

2,599

11,824

2,383

2,675

3,045

2,150

10,253

Richmond Upon Thames

1,288

1,411

1,618

1,247

5,564

1,200

1,456

1,769

1,054

5,479

Southwark

3,392

3,785

4,464

3,366

15,007

3,225

3,726

4,429

2,838

14,218

Sutton

1,441

1,745

1,627

1,310

6,123

1,318

1,640

1,968

1,150

6,076

Tower Hamlets

4,253

5,174

6,054

4,447

19,928

4,067

5,181

6,758

4,277

20,283

Waltham Forest

2,769

3,163

3,383

2,442

11,757

2,074

2,804

3,445

2,178

10,501

Wandsworth

2,722

3,133

3,262

2,614

11,731

2,302

2,916

3,371

2,286

10,875

Westminster

4,816

5,416

5,730

4,896

20,858

4,364

5,322

5,702

4,563

19,951

Grand Total

90,266

100,545

108,055

85,383

384,249

78,282

94,500

111,229

72,376

356,387

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Victim SatisfactionQuestion No: 2014/1112Joanne McCartney

In reference to my question 2014/0318. I asked for victim satisfaction for ALL BOROUGHS for this quarter and the past 6 quarters. I ask again please could you provide a breakdown of victim satisfaction BY BOROUGH for this quarter and for the past 6 quarters.

Written response from the MayorThe table below shows the Victim satisfaction with overall service received from the MPS by borough for the last 6 quarters.

(Source: MPS User Satisfaction Survey)

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Datastore DefinitionsQuestion No: 2014/1113Joanne McCartney

On the London Datastore under Officer Strength you give three ‘Other Business Groups’ that officers are categorised by ‘TP Non-Boroughs’ ‘Specialist Operations’ and Specialist Crime & Operations’ please provide a definition of each category and a list of which units in the MPS fall under which category.

Written response from the MayorThe breakdown is as follows:

TP non-boroughs include mainly units related to TP (Territorial Policing) but are responsible for pan-London functions.

The units under this category are:

Royal Parks

Safer Transport Command

Capability and Support

Central Communications Command

Traffic Criminal Justice

Crime Recording Investigation Bureau

Criminal Justice

ACPO and Support Command

Specialist Operations include the following units:

Specialist Operations HQ

SO1 Specialist Protection

SO6 Diplomatic Protection

SO14 Royalty Protection

SO15 Counter Terrorism

SO17 palace of Westminster

SO18 Aviation Security

SO20 CT Protective Security

Specialist Crime and Operations include the following units:

SC&O 1 – Homicide & Major Crime

SC&O 2/5 – Sexual Offences, Exploitation & Child Abuse

SC&O 3 – Specialist Crime Reduction

SC&O 4 – Directorate of Forensic Services

SC&O 7 – Specialist, Organised & Economic Crime

SC&O 8 – Trident Gang Crime Command

SC&O 10 – Covert Policing

SC&O 11 – Surveillance

SC&O 12 – ACPO & Business Support

SC&O 14 – Covert Policing Standards

SC&O 16 – Performance Improvement Unit

SC&O 19 – Specialist Firearms

SC&O 21 – Crime Academy & Review Group

SC&O 22 – Public Order & Operational Support

SC&O 25 – Met Intelligence Bureau

SC&O 25(2) – ANPR Bureau

SC&O 26 – PNC & Vetting Bureau

SC&O 27 – Intelligence Standards & Support

SC&O38 – Met CaTO

SC & O – Pan London Taskforce

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NeighbourhoodsQuestion No: 2014/1114Joanne McCartney

Please provide a list of each of the Neighbourhood quadrants by Borough including which wards are in those quadrants.

Written response from the MayorThe table attached in Appendix 1114 shows each borough with their relevant neighbourhoods and Safer Neighbourhood wards. Please note that these are not always co-terminous with electoral wards.

SNT_BoroughName

NPT_Name

SNT_Name

Barking and Dagenham

Barking

Abbey

Eastbury

Gascoigne

Goresbrook

Longbridge

Thames

Dagenham

Alibon

Eastbrook

Mayesbrook

Parsloes

River

Village

Whalebone

Becontree

Chadwell Heath

Heath

Valence

Whalebone

Barnet

Barnet

East Barnet

High Barnet

Oakleigh

Totteridge

Underhill

Colindale

Burnt Oak

Colindale

Edgware

Hale

Mill Hill

Golders Green

Childs Hill

Garden Suburb

Golders Green

Hendon

West Hendon

Whetstone

Brunswick Park

Coppetts

East Finchley

Finchley Church End

West Finchley

Woodhouse

Bexley

Central

Barnehurst

Brampton

Christchurch

Danson Park

East Wickham

Falconwood and Welling

St Michael’s

North

Belvedere

Colyers

Erith

Lesnes Abbey

North End

Northumberland Heath

Thamesmead East

South

Blackfen and Lamorbey

Blendon and Penhill

Cray Meadows

Crayford

Longlands

Sidcup

St Mary’s

Brent

Harlsden

Barnhill

Dudden Hill

Fryent

Harlesden

Kensal Green

Stonebridge

Welsh Harp

Kilburn

Brondesbury Park

Dollis Hill

Kilburn

Mapesbury

Queens Park

Willesden Green

Wembley

Alperton

Kenton

Northwick Park

Preston

Queensbury

Sudbury

Tokyngton

Wembley Central

Bromley

North-East

Bickley

Bromley Town

Chislehurst

Mottingham and Chislehurst North

Plaistow and Sundridge

North-West

Clock House

Copers Cope

Crystal Palace

Kelsey and Eden Park

Penge and Cator

Shortlands

South-East

Chelsfield and Pratts Bottom

Cray Valley East

Cray Valley West

Farnborough and Crofton

Orpington

Petts Wood and Knoll

South-West

Biggin Hill

Bromley Common and Keston

Darwin

Hayes and Coney Hall

West Wickham

Camden

Central

Belsize

Camden Town with Primrose Hill

Cantelowes

Gospel Oak

Haverstock

Kentish Town

North

Fortune Green

Frognal and Fitzjohns

Hampstead Town

Highgate

Kilburn

Swiss Cottage

West Hampstead

South

Bloomsbury

Holborn and Covent Garden

King’s Cross

Regent’s Park

St Pancras and Somers Town

Croydon

Central

Addiscombe

Broad Green

Croham

Fairfield

Waddon

West Thornton

North-East

Ashburton

Crystal Palace Triangle

Selhurst

South Norwood

Upper Norwood

Woodside

North-West

Bensham Manor

Norbury

Selhurst

Thornton Heath

West Thornton

South-East

Fieldway

Heathfield

New Addington

Selsdon and Ballards

Shirley

South-West

Coulsdon East

Coulsdon West

Kenley

Purley

Sanderstead

Ealing

Acton

Acton Central

East Acton

Hanger Hill

South Acton

Southfield

Ealing

Cleveland

Ealing Broadway

Ealing Common

Elthorne

Hobbayne

Northfield

Walpole

Greenford/Northolt

Greenford Broadway

Greenford Green

North Greenford

Northolt Mandeville

Northolt West End

Perivale

Southall

Dormers Wells

Lady Margaret

Norwood Green

Southall Broadway

Southall Green

Enfield

Edmonton & South

Edmonton Green

Haselbury

Jubilee

Lower Edmonton

Ponders End

Upper Edmonton

Enfield & North

Chase

Enfield Highway

Enfield Lock

Grange

Southbury

Town

Turkey Street

Southgate & West

Bowes

Bush Hill Park

Cockfosters

Highlands

Palmers Green

Southgate

Southgate Green

Winchmore Hill

Greenwich

Eltham

Coldharbour and New Eltham

Eltham North

Eltham South

Eltham West

Middle Park and Sutcliffe

Shooters Hill

Greenwich

Blackheath Westcombe

Charlton

Greenwich West

Kidbrooke with Hornfair

Peninsula

Greenwich Park

Plumstead

Abbey Wood

Glyndon

Plumstead

Thamesmead Moorings

Woolwich Common

Woolwich Riverside

Hackney

Hackney North-East

Cazenove

Hackney Downs

Leabridge

New River

Springfield

Homerton

Chatham

Hackney Central

King’s Park

Victoria

Wick

Shoreditch

De Beauvoir

Haggerston

Hoxton

Queensbridge

Stoke Newington

Brownswood

Clissold

Dalston

Lordship

Stoke Newington Central

Hammersmith and Fulham

North Hammersmith

Addison

Askew

Avonmore and Brook Green

College Park and Old Oak

Ravenscourt Park

Shepherd’s Bush Green

Wormholt and White City

South Fulham

Fulham Broadway

Fulham Reach

Hammersmith Broadway

Munster

North End

Palace Riverside

Parsons Green and Walham

Sands End

Town

Haringey

East

Bruce Grove

Seven Sisters

Tottenham Green

Tottenham Hale

West Green

North

Bounds Green

Noel Park

Northumberland Park

White Hart Lane

Woodside

West

Alexandra

Crouch End

Fortis Green

Harringay

Highgate

Hornsey

Muswell Hill

St Ann’s

Stroud Green

Harrow

Central

Greenhill

Harrow on the Hill

Harrow Weald

Hatch End

Marlborough

Wealdstone

Harrow Town Centre

East

Belmont

Canons

Edgware

Kenton East

Kenton West

Queensbury

Stanmore Park

West

Headstone North

Headstone South

Pinner

Pinner South

Rayners Lane

Roxbourne

Roxeth

West Harrow

Havering

Central

Brooklands

Emerson Park

Hylands

Romford Town

Squirrel’s Heath

St Andrew’s

North

Gooshays

Harold Wood

Havering Park

Heaton

Mawneys

Pettits

South

Cranham

Elm Park

Hacton

Rainham and Wennington

South Hornchurch

Upminster

Hillingdon

Hayes

Barnhill

Botwell

Charville

Townfield

Yeading

North

Cavendish

Eastcote and East Ruislip

Harefield

Ickenham

Manor

Northwood

Northwood Hills

South Ruislip

West Ruislip

Uxbridge

Brunel

Hillingdon East

Uxbridge North

Uxbridge South

Uxbridge Town Centre

West Drayton

Pinkwell

West Drayton

Yiewsley

Heathrow Villages

Hounslow

Central

Hounslow Central

Hounslow Heath

Hounslow South

Hounslow West

Isleworth

Hounslow Town Centre

East

Brentford

Chiswick Homefields

Chiswick Riverside

Syon

Turnham Green

North

Cranford

Heston Central

Heston East

Heston West

Osterley and Spring Grove

West

Bedfont

Feltham North

Feltham West

Hanworth

Hanworth Park

Islington

East

Finsbury Park

Highbury East

Highbury West

Mildmay

North

Hillrise

Junction

St George’s

Tollington

South

Bunhill

Canonbury

Clerkenwell

St Peter’s

Angel Town Centre

West

Barnsbury

Caledonian

Clerkenwell

Highbury East

Highbury West

Holloway

St Mary’s

Angel Town Centre

Kensington and Chelsea

Chelsea

Brompton

Courtfield

Cremorne

Hans Town

Royal Hospital

Stanley

Kensington

Abingdon

Campden

Earl’s Court

Holland

Queen’s Gate

Redcliffe

Notting Hill

Colville

Golborne

Norland

Notting Barns

Pembridge

St Charles

Kingston upon Thames

North

Beverley

Canbury

Coombe Hill

Coombe Vale

Grove

Norbiton

Old Malden

St James

Tudor

South

Alexandra

Berrylands

Chessington North and Hook

Chessington South

St Mark’s

Surbiton Hill

Tolworth and Hook Rise

Lambeth

Central

Brixton Hill

Clapham Common

Clapham Town

Coldharbour

Ferndale

Herne Hill

Tulse Hill

North

Bishop’s

Larkhall

Oval

Prince’s

Stockwell

Vassall

South

Gipsy Hill

Knight’s Hill

St Leonard’s

Streatham Hill

Streatham South

Streatham Wells

Thornton

Thurlow Park

Lewisham

Central

Blackheath

Catford South

Grove Park

Lee Green

Lewisham Central

Rushey Green

Lewisham Town Centre

Greenwich

Blackheath

North

Brockley

Crofton Park

Evelyn

Ladywell

New Cross

Telegraph Hill

South

Bellingham

Downham

Forest Hill

Perry Vale

Sydenham

Whitefoot

Merton

Mitcham

Colliers Wood

Cricket Green

Figge’s Marsh

Graveney

Lavender Fields

Longthornton

Pollards Hill

Morden

Cannon Hill

Lower Morden

Merton Park

Ravensbury

Raynes Park

St Helier

West Barnes

Wimbledon

Abbey

Dundonald

Hillside

Trinity

Village

Wimbledon Park

Newham

Central

Boleyn

Green Street East

Green Street West

Plaistow North

Plaistow South

East

East Ham Central

East Ham North

East Ham South

Little Ilford

Manor Park

Wall End

South

Beckton

Canning Town North

Canning Town South

Custom House

Royal Docks

West

Forest Gate North

Forest Gate South

Stratford and New Town

West Ham

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

Redbridge

Central

Aldborough

Barkingside

Chadwell

Clayhall

Cranbrook

Goodmayes

Newbury

Seven Kings

South

Clementswood

Cranbrook

Loxford

Mayfield

Newbury

Valentines

Ilford Town Centre

West

Bridge

Church End

Fairlop

Fullwell

Hainault

Monkhams

Roding

Snaresbrook

Wanstead

Richmond upon Thames

Richmond

Barnes

East Sheen

Ham, Petersham and Richmond Riverside

Kew

Mortlake and Barnes Common

North Richmond

South Richmond

Richmond Park

Teddington

Fulwell and Hampton Hill

Hampton

Hampton North

Hampton Wick

Teddington

Bushy Park

Twickenham

Heathfield

South Twickenham

St Margarets and North Twickenham

Twickenham Riverside

West Twickenham

Whitton

Southwark

North-East

Grange

Riverside

Rotherhithe

South Bermondsey

Surrey Docks

North-West

Cathedrals

Chaucer

East Walworth

Faraday

Newington

South-East

Livesey

Nunhead

Peckham

Peckham Rye

The Lane

South-West

Brunswick Park

Camberwell Green

College

East Dulwich

South Camberwell

Village

Sutton

East

Beddington North

Beddington South

Carshalton Central

Carshalton South and Clockhouse

Wallington North

Wallington South

North

Nonsuch

St Helier

Stonecot

The Wrythe

Wandle Valley

Worcester Park

West

Belmont

Cheam

Sutton Central

Sutton North

Sutton South

Sutton West

Tower Hamlets

Bow and Mile End

Bow East

Bow West

Bromley-by-Bow

Mile End East

Bricklane & Globe

Bethnal Green North

Bethnal Green South

Mile End and Globe Town

Spitalfields and Banglatown

Weavers

Poplar Isle of Dogs

Blackwall and Cubitt Town

East India and Lansbury

Limehouse

Millwall

Stepney & Wapping

Shadwell

St Dunstan’s and Stepney Green

Whitechapel

St Katharine’s and Wapping

Waltham Forest

Central

High Street

Higham Hill

Hoe Street

Markhouse

William Morris

Wood Street

North

Chapel End

Chingford Green

Endlebury

Hale End and Highams Park

Hatch Lane

Larkswood

Valley

South

Cann Hall

Cathall

Forest

Grove Green

Lea Bridge

Leyton

Leytonstone

Wandsworth

Battersea

Balham

Fairfield

Latchmere

Northcote

Queenstown

Shaftesbury

St Mary’s Park

Putney

East Putney

Fairfield

Southfields

Thamesfield

West Hill

West Putney

Roehampton and Putney Heath

Tooting

Bedford

Earlsfield

Furzedown

Graveney

Nightingale

Tooting

Wandsworth Common

Tooting Town Centre

Westminster

Central

Bayswater

Bryanston and Dorset Square

Cavendish Square and Oxford Market

Hyde Park

Lancaster Gate

Marylebone High Street

Regent’s Park

North

Abbey Road

Bryanston and Dorset Square

Church Street

Harrow Road

Little Venice

Maida Vale

Queen’s Park

Regent’s Park

Westbourne

Westminster _ Regents Park and Primrose Hill

ORB

Oxford Street Regent Street and Bond Street

South

Churchill

Knightsbridge and Belgravia

Tachbrook

Victoria Business and Transport

Vincent Square

Warwick

Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens

West End

Covent Garden

Mayfair and St James

Soho

Strand and Whitehall

West End and China Town

St James Park

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Diversity in the MetQuestion No: 2014/1115Joanne McCartney

How many people make up the MPS’s senior management team? Of those how many are women?

Written response from the MayorThere are currently 10 members of the MPS senior management team (Management Board). Of these 2 are women.

The MPS are working to increase the proportion of female recruits during the current plans to recruit 5,000 officers by 2015.

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Diversity in the Met (2)Question No: 2014/1116Joanne McCartney

How people are there at sergeant rank currently in the MPS? Of those how many are women?

Written response from the MayorAs of 31 January 2014 the number of Sergeants within the MPS was 4,740. Of these, 862 were female.

The MPS are working to increase the proportion of female recruits during the current plans to recruit 5,000 officers by 2015.

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Diversity in the Met (3)Question No: 2014/1117Joanne McCartney

How many people are there at inspector rank currently in the MPS? Of those how many are women?

Written response from the MayorAs of 31 January 2014 the number of Inspectors within the MPS was 1,288. Of these, 223 were female.

The MPS are working to increase the proportion of female recruits during the current plans to recruit 5,000 officers by 2015.

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Diversity in the Met (4)Question No: 2014/1118Joanne McCartney

How many people are there at PC rank currently in the MPS? Of those how many are women?

Written response from the MayorAs of 31 January 2014 the number of constables within the MPS was 23,838. Of these, 6,376 were female.

The MPS are working to increase the proportion of female recruits during the current plans to recruit 5,000 officers by 2015.

Written response from the MayorThe HMIC calculation of “frontline” officers is derived annually from the Home Office return which is compiled each March and submitted in May.

There is a half yearly return to the Home Office which does not provide the same level of detail but which the MPS has developed internally to provide an equivalent figure. The table below sets out the position at September 2013.

Police Officers (FTE)

Frontline

26276 (85.8%)

Non Frontline

4,355 (14.2%)

Total

30,631 (100%)

This table shows an increase from the position at March 2013 when the equivalent figures were 25,291 FTE (83.2%).

Written response from the MayorThe HMIC calculation of “visible” officers is derived annually from the Home Office return which is compiled each March and submitted in May.

There is a half yearly return to the Home Office which does not provide the same level of detail but has been developed by the MPS internally to provide an equivalent figure. The table below sets out the position at September 2013.

Police Officers (FTE)

Visible

14,373 (46.9%)

Specialist

7,583 (24.8%)

Middle Office

7,921 (25.9%)

Back Office

755 (2.5)

Total

30,631 (100%)

This table shows an increase from the position at March 2013 when the equivalent figures were 13,156 FTE (43.3%) Visible.

Written response from the MayorPlease see my response to MQ 1120 which includes a table that shows the number and percentage of officers in ‘Middle office’ and ‘Back office’ roles.

The combined figure for “Middle office” and “Back office” officers has decreased from the March 2013 position of 9,649 FTE (31.7%) to 8,676 (28.4%).

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Drag racing on the North CircularQuestion No: 2014/1122Joanne McCartney

A constituent has contacted me with their concerns over drag racing on the North Circular. My constituent has heard that TfL’s traffic camera unit and the police are not sharing data that would apprehend perpetrators. Could you confirm whether this is the case, and if so ensure that TfL and the Metropolitan police work together to prevent further accidents along this stretch of road?

Written response from the MayorI am currently consulting on improving MPS access to TfL’s camera network. The consultation closes on 8th April 2014.

Recent figures shows that the rate of tuberculosis is triple the national average in a part of my constituency in Edmonton. What action can be taken via the London Health Board to combat the spread of tuberculosis in London, and to reduce the rate of tuberculosis in Enfield and Haringey?

Written response from the MayorPlease see my response to MQ 635/2014 which describes the role of the London TB Control Board in taking a London-wide, multi-agency approach to tackling TB.

I am further assured that Enfield and Haringey have taken a collaborative approach in tackling TB and that across these two Boroughs TB notifications are declining.

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Buses at Enfield TownQuestion No: 2014/1124Joanne McCartney

I have had a complaint from a constituent that there is inadequate bus capacity for school children attending school in Enfield Town. What is TfL doing to increase bus capacity at the end of school day in Enfield Town? What work is in occurring with London Borough of Enfield to address any capacity issues?

Written response from the MayorTfL regulary reviews bus network capacity. They will discuss this issue with Enfield Council. I would be grateful if your office could pass your constituent’s complaint on to TfL to assist in their review.

The Chair of the London Forum of Epilepsy Action has contacted me with regards to the Carol service event held in Trafalgar Square in December. They were dismayed to hear that a new rule has been introduced meaning no podiums or microphones are allowed at the event. This is the only opportunity that the London Forum of Epilepsy Action have to fundraise each year, and found with a lack of microphone the charity were unable to say their name or announce the next carol, which is unpractical. What was the reason for this rule change and will you reassess this rule to ensure that charities can fundraise effectively when in Trafalgar Square?

Written response from the MayorOfficers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

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Trees in Southbury RoadQuestion No: 2014/1126Joanne McCartney

A constituent has requested that trees be pruned outside his house in Southbury Road, and after much disagreement over who has the responsibility for these trees, TfL said they would prune them in August 2013. However, the constituent informs me that the tress have still not been pruned. Please can you ensure that these trees are pruned as soon as possible.

Written response from the MayorOn the presumption that the trees in question are those on the grass verge at the junction of the A10 Great Cambridge Road and Southbury Road, it is correct that TfL agreed to prune the trees, over the winter months when they were dormant. Unfortunately this work was delayed and TfL apologises for this. These works will now be completed within the next few weeks.

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London Translation ServicesQuestion No: 2014/1127Joanne McCartney

Following MQ 3346/2010, you informed me that you would liaise with London Councils about the proposal to pool translation services in London in order to save resources. Please could you provide me with an update on this issue.

Written response from the MayorOfficers at the GLA liaised with officers from London Councils on this issue following my response to you of 13 October 2010. London Councils has no plans to ask boroughs to consider pooling their translation services. This would be a matter for individual boroughs to decide, as is the case with other shared services.

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School places and Metropolitan Open LandQuestion No: 2014/1128Joanne McCartney

What discussions or meetings have you had with local councils about the need of additional school places and protecting Green Belt and Metropolitan Open Land? Could you please also let me know when these took place?

Written response from the MayorOfficers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.